Machine for bending metal plates or sheets



Feb. 4,l 1 930. I v w. R. HUME v I 1,745,539

MACHINE FDR BENDING METAL PLATES Oli-SHEETS Filed May 1e, 192e 2 sheets-smeet 1 Feb. 4, 1930. w. R. HuME v -HACHINE FoR BENDING METAL APLATES 0R sam-ITS' ifiled May- 16. 192s wir@ Patented Feb. 4,1930

PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR BENDING METAL PLATES OR SHEETS Application ined May 1e, 1928, serial No.

' This invention relates to machines for vrbending metal plates or sheets, as for instance in vthe bending of metal sheets into,v circular ffirm for the manufacture of pipes and the f VSuch machines, which fare commonly termed bending rolls, usually comprise a series ofparallel rollers namely apairof lower rollers andan upperroller which is disposed yabove and between the centers of the lower rolls. In the bending of metal yplates orlsheets for thevmanufactureof pipes and the like the sheet,`which has previously 'been/cut to the required size, is passedbe- 'p15 tween the upper and ylower rollers and bent around the upperroller -sothat it assumes acireular or cylindrical form with a'slight space 'or gap extending between the longitudinal or meeting edges of the sheet which 20l are subsequently united to form the complete tubular article.`

An objection toexisting ymachines of thel labove-mentioned type isy the necessity for removing a bearmgor support at one end of 5525 the upperroller in order that the bent plate mayv be' withdrawn lengthwise therefrom. vFor this purpose the said bearingor support at one end of the upper roller is usually hinged orfpivoted so that it may be swung clear of the roller end to permit ofthe withdrawal of the circularly bent sheet or plate. vThis operation of removing and replacing the roller kbearing or support for the withdrawal of each bent sheet involves considerv35 able time and labor and thus greatly reduces the'output of the machine. y

i The primary object of the present inven- V tion is to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantage by the provision of an improved 4() bearing or support for use in connection with f the saidupper roller' whereby a metal sheet "which yhasl been bent into a substantially circular form around saidfroller, may be readily withdrawn lengthwise thereof, withoutv re- 145 moval" of the said bearing or support or any other parts ofthe machine. The relativeoutput of the machine is thus greatly'increased in a simple and effective manner.V

A 4further object of the invention is to provide improved means for raising and low- 278,211, and in Australia May 21, 1927.

ering the upper roller to facilitate removal andinsertion of the sheetsand to enable the upper roller to be set slightly out of parallel with the lower rollers in thetreatment of sheets varying in thickness or their degree ofhardness at opposite ends.k

The invention also provides an improved construction and arrangement of the driving mechanism for rotating the rollers whereby a more powerful and efficient drive `is obtained.'

But rin order that this invention may be better understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying sheetof drawings which are to be taken as part of this specification 55 and read herewith Figure l is a side elevation of a machine for bending metal plates or sheets in accord ance with this invention.

Figure Q'is a plan view of Figure l.

, kFigure 3 is a view looking at the left-hand end of Figure 1.

Figure'll is a side elevation of a delivery table for the curved sheets and of certain driving means for the bending rollers seen in Figuresvl to 3.

Figure 5 is a plan view of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an inverted plan of the improved bearing and standard taken approximately on the line VI`VI in Figure 8.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary end or face view of the bearing and standard.

Figure 8 is a part sectional side elevation showing a bearing and standard with vertical adjusting means therefor.

Figure 9 yis a side view of Figure 8, an endlplate of the machine frame being removed.

According to the invention there is provided in lieu of the movable or swinging bearing or support at the outer end yof the roller around which the metal plate or sheet is bent: an improved bearing or support 2, seen more clearly in Figures 6 to 9, comprising a vertical standard yor bracket 3 of narrow elongated shape in cross-section, this standard carrying `at its upper end a suitable boss 4 or bearing member in which the adjacent or outer end of the yusual upper bending roller `6 turns.

The formation ofthe standard 3, constitutes an important feature of the invention, the width or thickness of said standard in a lateral direction, that is in a direction transversely of the roller 6, being reduced to such an extent that it is adapted to pass through the aforesaid narrow gap or space between the longitudinal or meeting edges of the bent Y sheet/7, as the latter is Withdrawn 'from the roller.` lt will thus be evident that-Abybringeing the gap or space of thesheet bent around the roller 6 into a position opposite and in longitudinal alignment with the vertical standard 8, as indicated in Figure 9,k the bent sheet ymay bewithdrawn'fromsaid roller Vwithout Vremoval of said bearing.

In-order to provide the neeessa'rystrength 'y yin the vstanc'lard 3 of theimproved end lbear- 'ing on account L'of its reducedV width, the "cross-*sectional dimension-df said standardin the direction v:of the length ofthe roller 'may be considerablyv greater than its Width or 'thickness in 'a 'lateral direction. 7The stan- "dard is 'thus preferably of narrowelongated edge 14 of the respective bearing standard form in cross-sectionj-as illustrated.

lin order to Areduce toa yminimum` the distance which the upper roller v6 must be 'raised tto release the sheet'7 'from pressure 'andv thusy permit *of 'its withdrawal longitudinally vpast Lithebearing standard "f8, a blocker transverse member 8',"or a lpair thereof of the Vmachine frame, which constitutes bearing for the `outer Aends ofthe two lower rollers 9, 10, is cut away lor recessed-on its upper face,`as at 11 in Figures 7 and 9, immediately'nbeneath the outer 'end'of the upper roller. The

recess 111 is inclined downwardlyfrom either side of the adjacent top rollerbe'aring 2,.to a j central vertical slot 12, which is ferrned -th'roughrsaid 'transverse member '8 -or 'between a pair thereof, to slidably accommodate the improved bearingk standard 'or bracket 3. rThe transverse member 18 mag] be disposed between r-and Vfniitably 'secured to upstanding plates v13, fthe upper edges 'of whichfmay 'be recessed similarlylt'o 'the upper edge of said member y8. p I

lIn order to facilitate'removal `of the curved sheet 7 lpast ythe bearing 2 at the outer end of the upper roller 6,a portion 'of the inner 3, may be "beveledas 'at 16 (Figurefso as to readily pass lbetween `the lon',f1fitu'dinalY edgesof the curved sheet. Y

If desired 'a `bearing 2a having a vertical standard'forl?)a as before mentionedvma'y be providedto support the other or inner end of the upper 'roll`er`\6.' The standard 3a may'be accommodated in'slot 12EL formed'in a transverse frame member 8a supported by upstanding plates 13a. at the `other end of thie machine. Thejbearing ystandard 3a 'need not have a beveled portion 'as describedfwith 'ref-Y erence to 'the standard '3. Theplates 13 and 13a at opposite vends of the 'mach-ine maybe jshown) tied by tie rods 15, which may be encircled by distance pieces 15a.

' In machines of the type referred to, means are usually provided for raisingp'and lowering the upper roller 6, in order to'relax the pressure on lthe bent sheet?, so that the latter may be withdrawn, yand to adjust the infachine to receive plates kor sheets of differentthickn'esses. VTo `provide `lfor such' raising and lowering of the upper roller 6,

each of :the standards 3, 3a., tsupporting the bearings 2, 2a, may, in accordance with the invention, be provided' with ka Vsuitable boss or the like 18, preferably located at its lower Iend togre'ceive a vertical adjusting screw 19, which may pass through a renewable nut21, ldetachably nfixed in a` worm-wheel 22, suit- Aably supported with the end plates 13 or1'3a. These 'wornrwheels "22 Vmay jb'e operated "by wormst23'on'fa Vhorizontalshaft 24, which may be driven through miter or other suitablerevers'mg' gear 26, to "therebyraise 'and vlower the roller 6. Y This reversing gear Vvmay be conveniently driven 'by albeit 'pulley `27 from an 4'overhead "countershaft, by Vmeans of `an() :quarter 'twist belt and suitable pulleys, A(not TSjuitable means,fsuc'h asa coupling 28, or a clutch Edevice interposed inV the .shaftQZl which may be 'in two longitudinal sections, "maybe advantageously 'provided whereby one lof the Aupper roliler 'bearings 3, 3L may 'be the 'coupling '28, or ythe clutch device, is dis,- Lm f connected'andthe hand-wheel gear l29 ,maybe operated 'so that only one of the worms 23, 'is brought into operation.A Ah'and-whee'l g' far may "be Kprovided at "each side -of the 'cmipg if 'SQ desired. Y f .115

Ay suitable delivery "table B1, (Figures 4 and) may be disposed adjacent l'the outer ends of the 'rollers-so vas to conveniently receive thefb'ert'sheets 7 therefrom,v

The 'roller 'driving mechanism in a'c'cordi.1go l 'ance `wit`h1thfe vinvention preferably includes upper zandlower shafts32v, 33 respe'ctivelydhe latter forming the main shaft which is of considerably greater' length than 'the rollers and 'extends 'from the inner *end of thema# 1425 chine past the Louter ends'of the'rollers 6, v9', and '10 and Vunder the abovementioned deliverytable 31, to a suitablebearing'bracket or framevl, between which andthe outer ends .of the rollers said table is located.'V The *13o y cent eachl end avipinion 42.

- neath the delivery upper shaft,32 is connected by a coupling v of the lower roller spindles, preferably the spindle 37, of the front lower roller, soyasto form an axial extension thereof, wliich also passes betable 31, and is supported at its outer endk andI in said bearing ybracket 34.

, The Adrive Vmay be transmittediby means of a pinion 38, .and a'spur `wheel 39, from 'a pulley or first-motiony shaft 41, to said elongated main shaft 33k which carries adja- One of these pinions engages a relatively large spur wheel 43on, the outer end of the said'upper' elongated shaft 32, whilst the other pinion 42 engages c a similar spur.v wheel y43, fastened to the spindle 44 of the other or rear lower roller v9 at the inner end of the machine.

By this means an extremely powerful and efhcient drive onto the lower rollers is obtained. f

- In removing ay bent sheet or plate 7 from a i machine fitted with a bearing or support 2,

having a standard 3, in accordance with the invention, it is merely necessary to discontinue the rotation of the rollers so that the i i longitudinal gap orspace between the meeting edges of the circularly bent sheet y7 is disp-osed opposite and in longitudinal alignment withthe-narrow bearing standard or bracket3, of the upper roller 6, as indicated Figure '9. The said roller 6 may be then slightly raised by. the aforesaid screw ad# V3usting means to relax the pressure upon the-bent plate 7 whereupon the latter may Ybe withdrawn past the bearing 2, the narrow standard 3 of which passes through the said gap `or space asV thebent plate is withdrawn from-the rollen, The roller 6 may then be loweredto its original position and theliiext sheet inserted for bending.

,It willbe evidentr `from the foregoing that it is unnecessary to remove any ofthe roller bearings or other parts of the machine in or-.

der to withdraw the circularly bent sheets. The resul-t is that considerable time andlabor Vare savedand the output of the machineis f. consequently increased by theV use ofan ex- 50 tremely simple and inexpensive device which `maybe readily applied to existing aswell as to new machines.y t Y a Furthermore owing to the aforesaid recess Y ll in the upper faceof the transverse frame member 8, which constitutes a bearing for theouter ends of the lower rollers 9, it is not necessary to raise the top roller 6 far enough to clear said frame 8 but merely t sufficiently to relax the pressure of the rollers Vbe, drawn through said recess,

on the curved sheet 7 so that the latter may in passing the bearing standard 3 yofthe upper roller.

- The said recess is of particular radvantage in the case of arelatively small Aupper roller 6 which descends to a lowergpoint between the bottom rollers 9, l0 and, consequently in the absence ofsaid recess, would need to be raised to a greater extent to clear the said frame member. The operation of the machine is thus further facilitated owing to the minimum lifting and lowering movements of the upper roller which are permissible in accordance with this .feature ofthe invention.

LIf desired, a suitable indicating device such .as a pointer 46 adapted to be actuated byvertical movementyof the bearing standards 3 or 3a and associated with a graduated scale 47V may be'provided as indicated in Figure 3, to register the various positions of the upper roller relative to the lower rollers. Thebot-om rollers 9 and 10, may be supported intermediately of their length by idle rollers 48 supported by suitable brackets 49 as indicated in Figures l, 2 and 9.

Having now described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure-by Letters Patent is zl. In a bending machine having lower bending rollers disposed beneath an upper bending roller around which the work such as a metal sheet or blank isto be bent, a bearing for an end of said upper bending roller, said bearing having a depending standardthe thickness of which in a direction transversely of said roller is so narrow that it is adapted to pass through the gap or space between the longitudinal meeting edges of the bent sheet or blank as the latter is withdrawn lengthwisey from said upper roller, a supporting frame for said lower rollers Vhaving in its upper face ay recess disposed inimediately beneath said end bearing of the upper roller, and means forvertically adjusting said bearing standard in relation to said frame whereby the bent sheet or blank may be withdrawn lengthwise through said recess when released by the upper roller, for the purpose specified. Y

2. In a bending machine having lower bending rollers disposed beneath an upper bending roller around which the work such as a metal sheet or blank is to be bent, a bearing for an end of said upper bending roller, said bearing having a depending standard the thickness of which in a direction transversely of said roller is so narrow that ity is ,adapted to pass through the gap o-r space between the longitudinal meeting edges of the bent sheet or blank as the latter is withdrawn lengthwise from said upper roller, and a beveled or chamfered inner edge to said standard, substantially as and Vfor the purpose specified.y

3. In a bending machine having lower bending rollers disposed beneath an upper bending roller around which the work such as a metal sheet or blank is to be bent, a bearing for each end of said upper or bending roller, said bearings each having a depending standard the thickness of which in a di- Y eachother.

rection 'transversely .of :said roller V-is so -nary row 4that it 'is .adapted :to .passdt'hrough ithe gap or space between che longitudinal :meeting :edges of 'the bent sheet Yor blank as the latter is withdrawn lengthwise from said'upper roller, tor the purpose specified;

X4. In a bending machine having Vlower bending rollers disposed beneath an upper bending` roller aroundwhich the work such as a 4metal sheet lor blank is -to be bent, -abe'airing .for eachV end or" said upper or bending roller, said bearings each having a depending standard the thicknessfoi: which in a direction transversely'oi said roller is so narrow that it is'adapted to passthrough the gap or ,space between the longitudinal 4meeting edges of the `bentsheet or blank fas the latter is withdrawn lengthwise from said upper relier, and means for Vvertically adjusting either or both of said bearing standards, -tor the purpose specified.

5. In a bending machine having lower bending rollers vdisposed beneath an upper bending yroller around which lthe vwor-k such as a metal sheetor blank is to be bent, a bearing or support or a-n end of said upper bending roller, said `bearing or support having a depending standard the thickness vof which in afdirection transversely of -said roller is @so narrow that it isadapted lto pass through the gap or -space between the longitudinalmeeting edges of the ben-t sheet or blank as the latter is withdrawn lengthwise from said upper roller, 'and-adjusting means including screw and -nut mechanism operativelyconnected with said bearing-standard.

'6. In a bending imachine having lower bending rollers vdisposed beneath an upper bending roller around which the work such as a metal sheet `or blank is `te be bent, 'a bearing for each end of'said fupperbending roller, one or both oi saidbearings having'V a depending standard the fthicknessoi which ina direction transversely jof said roller is 4so narrow that it lis adapted to 'pass 'through the gap or space between' the longitudinal meeting vvedges of the bent lsheetor blank as vthe latter is withdrawn lengthwise vfrom 'said upper roller, -me'ans ior vertically adjust-ing i said bearings -comprising a yseparate' ladjusting srew and nut for each oi 'said bearings, and means whereby said screws `may jbe operated simultaneouslyor independently of '17. .In `a bending Amachine having lower bending rollers disposed beneath an upper bending roller around which-the -work such as a metal sheet or blank -is tobe bent, abearing 0r support for any end o'isa'id'upperfbending roller, saidbearing or support having `a depending standard the 'thicknessfoi which in adirection 'transversely oisaid -rollerisiso narrow that it isvadaptedfto pass-through the gap or space between the longitudinal meeting edges for" the bent sheet 'or blank -asthe agi-'rasees latter -is withdrawn tlfei-rg'thwise"'from Isaid upper roller, a screwed adjusting rod, connected to the lower end of said bearing A standard, and a'worin-wheel*havingv afnut therein adapted toeeng-age said fadjusting'rod, g,

in a direction 'transversely of said roller is so :narrow that :it is ladapted to pass through the gap or'fspacefbetweenlthe longitudinal meeting edges off Athe bentfs'he'et `or blank as the y'latter is withdrawnlengthwise'from said Y upper roller., means `for `vertically adjusting said bearings comprising a separate adjustingscrew and nut `for 'eac'h bearing, a nut mounted within a worm-'wheel and engaging eachfot saidadjusting screws, 'worms mounted on coakiajlly :aligned woriny shafts and Aengaging said worm-wheels, and lia -coupling .device connecting said -worm shatts, for thepurpose speci-fied.

l9. In a bending :machine having lower;

bending rollers disposed beneath an upper bending `roller .around 'which 'the work such as a 4metal sheet `or ,blank is v'to be bent, a bearing cr each-end of l-said lupper bending roller,fone .or both fot said bearings having y a depending standard the thickness fofwhic'h in a direction transversely off-said roller is soisnarrow that it is adapted' to `'pa-ss throughY the gap or space between :the longitudinal meeting edgesaof the fbentisheetor blank las the Alatter is withdrawn lengthwise romfsa'id v upper roller,i means ttor vertically adjusting said bearings 'comprising -a-separate adjusting screw and nut "for each bearing, a nut mounted within :a worin-wheel and'fengaging each :of lsaid :adjufsting screws, worms mounteden worm shaits and engaging said wormwheels, .a .coupling device connecting said worin shaffts, andrexersiblefdriving means-'for ruta-tingeither or both 'of said worm shafts 5in eitherdirection, .orthevpurpose speciiied. Y

10. Inra bending machine having lower bending rollers disposed I:beneath an upper bending roller around which the-work such Y asa Smetal sheet orlblank is to be "bent, a bear-jV ing tor eachendfefrsaid upper vbending roller, Y one or both oisaid bearings having-a dependf ing'standard the thickness oi which 1in a direction transversely oisaidroller is sonarrowith-at it is adapted-to pass throughthegaip or space between the longitudinal meeting edges otthebent sheet or'bl'ank-as the :latter is withdrawn lengthwise from said upper roller, means cfor vertically adjusting said bearingsy comprising a 'separate adjusting screw and nut for each bearing, ja vvnut i mounted within ja lworm-wheel rand engagor shafts independently of said reversible drivingmeans, for the purpose specified.

- 11. In a roller bending machine of the kind comprising an upper bending roller arf ranged above and between a pair of lower rollers, improvedv driving means for rotating said lower rollers,.sa1d driving meansv comprismg af main driving shaft at least twice f as long as said rollers and arranged so as to project longitudinally beyond the'outer ends of the rollers for a distance approximately equal totheir length, a second shaft approximately equal in length to said rollers and operatively connected to the outer end of one of said rollers or its spindle so as to project longitudinally therefrom, toothed gearing adapted to transmit power from the inner end of the other of said rollers, toothed gearing for transmitting power from the outer end of said second shaft, Va bearing or support for the outer end of said upper bending roller, said bearingl or support having a depending standard the thickness of which in a direction transversely of said roller is so narrow that it is adapted to pass through the gap or space between the longitudinal meety ring edges of the bent sheet or blank as the upper roller bearing,

^ latter is withdrawnlengthwise from said Y upper roller, and a'delivery table extending longitudinally above said main and second shafts from a point adjacent said bearing standard at the outer ends of the rollers, said vtable being adapted to receive the bent sheets as they are withdrawn lengthwise over said substantially as described. ,c Y

l2. In a bending machine yhaving lower bending rollers disposed beneath an upper bending roller around which the work such asa metal sheet or blank is to be bent, a bearing or support for an end of said upper bending roller, said bearing being providedvwith a kstandard extending downwardly from the bottom thereof, and in alignment with a space between said lower rollers, the thickness of i7 saidstandardv ina direction transversely of said rollers being so narrow that .when the curved sheet or blank is arrangedwith its longitudinal meeting edges at the bottom of the upper roller and lbetween the lower rollers, the said standard'is permitted to pass through the gap or space'between said meeting edges of the blank as the' latter is withy drawn lengthwise from theupper roller.

13. Ina bending machine having lower bending rollersldisposed beneath an upper y bending roller around which the work such as a metal sheet or blank is to be bent, a bear- 6757 ing or support for an end of saidupper bendylatter is withdrawn lengthwise from rollers and which in sectional plan is elongated in a direction lengthwise of the roller, the thickness of said standard in a direction transversely of said roller being such that when the curved sheet or blank is arranged with its longitudinal meeting edges at the bottom of the upper roller and between the lower rollers the standard is permitted to pass through the gap or space between said longitudinal meeting edges of the blank as the the upper roller.'

14. In a bending machine having lower bending rollers disposed beneath an upper bending roller around which the work such as a metal sheet or blank is to be bent, a bearing or support for an end of said upper bending roller, said bearing comprising a boss or bearing member which is unsupported from above and a standard depending from said boss, said standard having a cross-section which is elongated in a direction axially of said boss and roller and is of such narrow transverse dimension that it is adapted to pass through the gap or space between the longitudinal meeting edges of the bent sheet as the latter is withdrawn lengthwise from said upper roller.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WALTER REGINALD HUME. 

